History of Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc written for their Silver Anniversary in 1986

A history of the first 100 years of the Ringwood Garden Club Inc 1896-1996

Children marching, behind banner reading "Ringwood Police & Citizens Youth Club"

Scan of a ticket for Gem Pictures grand picture entertainment at the Linton Cricket Club.theatre, film, entertainment, gem, rash, gem pictures, linton cricket club, ticket

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities, are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Runagates Club Author: John Buchan Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Date: 1929 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC BUC Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Public Library. Front loose end paper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service.flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the runagates club, john buchan

Framed black and white photocopy of the International Association of Lions Clubs Charter 197523rd September 1975 Members names: Bar james (President), Kenneth Brown (secretary), Peter Kent (Treasurer), Noel Allen, Donald Bartlett, Frederick Byron, Richard Clarke, Sydney Duncan, William Dunne, Alan Featherston, Barry Goldsmith, William Holmes, Allan Jackson, Peter Jackson, Ugo Lolacono, John Miller, Neil Millgate, Ian McFarlane, Peter Powell, Charles Robbins, Graham Richardson, Ronald Sheedy, Albert Steart, Kenneth Tidyman, Paul Vemer, Thomas Wickham.lions club of clunes

A4 size copy of original photograph of the Katandra Inn Gun Club photograph

Part of Collins Brother Collection.Framed and glazed photograph - Collins Bros Cricket Club Premiers 1921/22.textile mills sporting teams, collins bros mill pty ltd, sport, textile mills - sporting teams

Article on the forthcoming fortieth anniversary of the East Burwood Uniting Church Netball Club.Article on the forthcoming fortieth anniversary of the East Burwood Uniting Church Netball Club.east burwood uniting church netball club, netball

Part of The Tim Shambrook Collection for 'This is Vermont'.Black and white photo of Vermont Football Club Team Members. Unknown date.vermont football club, shambrook, tim

Black and white photo of Nunawading Youth Club marching along Whitehorse Road.nunawading youth club

Black and white photo of Children at Nunawading Youth Club in Mitcham Memorial Hall. -youth clubs, mitcham memorial hall, nunawading youth club

Black and white photo of Apex Club members assisting with restoration of Schwerkolt Cottage.schwerkolt cottage, apex club nunawading

Black and white - 8 scenes of Nunawading Park Tennis Club being built.boyce-gibson, alec, paton, burton, figgar, alan, mcmahon ball, w, mccracken, gartner, will, nunawading park tennis club

Coloured photo of Mrs Cath Waugh Opening St. John's Tennis Club.waugh, cath, mcglone, john, st. john's catholic church, mitcham, tennis clubs

Names of the footballers can be found on a card in with photograph.Black and white studio photograph of the East Burwood Football Club team in 1968.east burwood football club - 1968, sporting clubs, football clubs

Black and white photograph of John Hogan Gervasoni in the Nothcote Football Club guernsay. football, jack gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni, caricature, northcote football club

Black and white photograph of John Hogan Gervasoni in the Fitzroy Football Club guernsay. football, jack gervasoni, john hogan gervasoni, caricature, fitzroy football club

Typed listing of the Old Colonists' Club Ballarat Executive Committee 1968-69ballarat old colonists' club, old colonists' association, ballarat old colonists' association

James worked as a tutor in art with Sunshine community arts program.James worked as a tutor in art with Sunshine community arts program. A charcoal drawing of the Hunt Club building on Ballarat Road, Deer Park. - AR0001charcoal, drawing, gary, james, hunt club